Method and system for providing interactive look-and-feel in a digital broadcast via an X-Y protocol

ABSTRACT

A system for providing an interactive look-and-feel in a digital video broadcast via an X-Y protocol is provided. At a head-end, video information is digitized and associated with private data, such as event identifications, X-Y coordinates, link event identification and synchronization data. This information is then transmitted to a receiving end and is input into a set-top box. The set-top box receives the broadcast digital signal and includes a member for receiving the broadcast digital signal and generating a playable signal including indicia of the link data. The playable signal is then played on a playing device. The user is provided with a remote control or similar input device for selecting from the indicia. Upon selection of a desired indicia, the user may exercise the predetermined link associated with the selected indicia in order to obtain the desired playable signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a digital video broadcast system andmethod, and, in particular to a system and method of providinginteractive look-and-feel in a digital video broadcast system via an X-Yprotocol which transmits from a head end server to a set-top box.

Fully interactive television based on sessions between a server at ahead-end and a client set-top box has proven to be very expensive andimpractical for commercial applications at this time. However, lessexpensive one-way broadcast systems using satellites or microwaves arenow being deployed which use digital video compression to provide anincreased number of video channels to a viewer. It is desirable tocreate a system that distributes digital video along with other data.Such other data can include a protocol which is usable to create asystem that results in a look-and-feel of interactivity withouttransmission from the client set-top box to the head end server.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,266 (Baer) issued Sep. 9, 1976 and is directed todual image television. In particular, this patent is directed to anearly method for transmitting a sequence of horizontal video lines takenalternatively from two video sources, so that in one transmission whenplaying alternate horizontal video lines, either one of the video tracksmay be played.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,471 (Saitoh, et al.) issued May 9,1995 and is directed to a moveable cursor for selecting and exchanging amain picture and subpictures in a multi-picture display device. Thedisclosure focuses on the picture selector and method of selecting themain picture or subpicture in a picture-in-a-picture system. Moreparticularly, it is directed to a remote controlled mouse forselectively clicking on portions of a television receiver in order toreceive a desired picture frame or channel by the click of a mouse.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,195 (Clanton, III, et al.) issued Jun. 4, 1996 andis directed to a graphical user interface for interactive televisionwith an animated agent. This is essentially a video-on-demand systemwhich includes a video-on-demand server coupled to a communicationmedium. A plurality of set top box receivers are coupled to thecommunication medium for receiving digitized programming in the form ofmovies and the like from the video-on-demand server. Each set top boxincludes a CPU which generates and displays a graphic user interface onthe subscriber's television. The graphic user interface is used in orderto choose the video-on-demand programming or the like from thecommunication network.

Accordingly, many prior art systems and methods have been developed forgenerating video-on-demand, or picture within a picture. However, it isdesirable and heretofore unknown how to develop a system and method forbroadcasting video signals using satellites or microwave technologyincorporated with protocol data and providing at the receiving end aset-top box or decoder that is adapted to receive the video informationand protocol data and provide a user with a system having thelook-and-feel of interactivity. The present invention details theprivate data which is interleaved within the data stream and providesprotocol and synchronization information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the instant invention, a systemis provided for creating a digital broadcast signal with X-Y protocoldata and synch data. The digital broadcast signal can then be broadcastin any manner to be received at remote user locations. User's equippedwith set-top boxes can then decode the digital signals. The goal is toprovide a large quantity of information, so that a user may navigatethrough the information provided and obtain a look-and-feel ofinteractivity.

The system includes an apparatus for receiving broadcast digital signalsover a tuneable bandwidth, the broadcast digital signals representingdigitally encoded and compressed video, audio or binary data (alsogenerally referred to as event data) and private data or protocol data.Video data as used herein may describe full motion video (with orwithout audio) or still picture graphics. The apparatus includes a tunerfor selecting the tuneable frequency bandwidth and selecting the digitalinformation for video and interactivity in synchronous groups, whereeach synchronous group has predetermined links defined by link data. Theapparatus uses the private data or protocol data to provide a user withthe ability to select from indicia of predetermined links and upon suchselection, the monitor displays the predetermined link chosen. Theapparatus is also equipped to provide the user with the ability toselect from the predetermined links, which are displayed on the monitoras the indicia, so that new video as defined by the link may bedisplayed.

A set-top box or apparatus is located at user locations, such as auser's home or other viewing spot. It is provided for processingbroadcast digital signals from tuneable frequency bandwidths. A memberis provided for receiving the broadcast digital signal and generating aplayable signal including indicia of the protocol data, and the protocoldata includes predetermined links to associated playable signals. Amember is provided for transmitting the playable signal for display onthe display device. A remote control or other input device allows theuser to select from the indicia displayed on the display device. Theuser may then exercise the predetermined link associated with a selectedindicia in order to obtain the desired playable signal.

More specifically, the broadcast digital signal includes two componentsgenerally referred to as event data and private data. The event dataincludes but is not limited to audio data, video data and other binarydata such as text. The private data includes information often referredto as protocol data. In other words, the private data is akin to a roadmap which instructs the receiver how to access the event data.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a system andmethod that gives an interactive look-and-feel to a unidirectionaldigital video broadcast system.

A further object of the invention is to provide synchronous informationthat is displayable on a monitor and easily accessible by a user, sothat a single channel of information received can display multipleprograms simply and easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide X-Y protocol data withprogram data to allow a feeling of interactivity to a user via a remotecontrol, mouse or other similar interface.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relationof one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and theapparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elementsand arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, allexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a one way digital broadcast system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of video channels received intuneable bandwidths;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a television screen includingplural hot-spots;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of a video screen including pluralhot-spots;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for encoding video information anddata into synchronous information channels capable of broadcast;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of logic in the head end;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary switch schedule;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary MPEG2 transport stream with X-Y protocol data andsynchronization data illustrated;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of hardware for a set-top box for decoding X-Yprotocol; and

FIG. 10 is a logic flow diagram for the set-top box in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the figures which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. With particular reference to FIG.1, a one way digital broadcast system, generally indicated as 100,constructed in accordance with the instant invention, is depicted. Oneway digital broadcast system 100 generally includes a head end generallydepicted at 102 and a receiving end generally depicted at 104. Head end102 includes a head end system 106 coupled, in this embodiment, to amicrowave transmission dish 108. Receiving end 104 includes a microwavereceiving antenna 110 coupled to a set-top box 112 which is in turncoupled to a television monitor 114. The transmission in this embodimentis direct dish-to-dish microwave. An alternative method of directbroadcast can communicate with a satellite which retransmits to thereceiving system. Even a wire connection can be used as the digitalbroadcast medium.

Head end system 106 generally includes system required for digital videotransmission and sometimes encoding. The exemplary system is describedin more detail in connection with FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Set-top box 112generally includes circuitry for digital video decoding and is describedin more detail in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. In operation, adigital video signal is generated at head end system 106 and istransmitted from microwave transmission dish 108. The digital videosignal is received by microwave receiving antenna 110 and is convertedby set-top box 112 into a usable signal which is then input intotelevision monitor 114 for viewing.

Reference is next directed to FIG. 2 which illustrates several digitalvideo channels 120-130. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, videochannels 120-130 are representative of MPEG channels 21-31,respectively. Digital video channels 120-130 and data channel 131 aretransmitted in tuneable bandwidths represented by frequency bands 140and 142. In this exemplary embodiment, frequency band 140 contains MPEGchannels 21-26 (digital video channels 120-125) and frequency band 142contains MPEG channels 27-31 (digital video channels 126-130). Each ofthe digital video channels can have data embedded in its stream of dataas shown in frequency band 140. Alternatively, a separate data channel131 can be independent from each of the digital video channels 126-130but within the same tuneable bandwidth as in frequency band 142.Alternatively, the data can be put on a data dedicated frequency bandwhich receives only data and no digital video channels, such as thesituation of data 132 tuneable by frequency band 143.

Frequency band 140, contains digital video channels 120-125 whichinclude both video information and data, such as X-Y protocol data.Frequency band 142 tunes digital video channels 126-130 and data channel131. Data channel 131 includes a continuous stream of data that is thensynchronized to the separate digital video channels 126-130, such thatthe separate digital video channels 126-130 have the appropriatesynchronized X-Y protocol data.

Alternatively, in the situation of frequency band 143, one dedicatedfrequency band is provided to receive only data bits. Data must bestored in memory and synchronized with video only when tuned to afrequency band that has video.

A preferred use for this system is to provide standard and premiumtelevision channels, movies and pay-per-view events through the separatechannels. However, it is also possible to provide services other thanvideo from any of the digital data streams 120-132. For example, pagesof any kind of text, picture and other multimedia elements could beencoded as hypertext markup language (HTML) data with accompanying filessuch that world wide web-like pages can be delivered to the televisionscreen. This assumes that the television's visual resolution limitationsare contemplated. Of primary importance is that since there is nocommunication between the set top box at the user site and the head endserver, the data must be continuously rebroadcast from the head endserver. Accordingly, when the set-top box at the user site needs toaccess data from any of channels 120-132, there is only a reasonableamount of lag time needed to find the appropriate data.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, a typical monitor 201 isillustrated. Monitor 201 includes a screen 203 with four hot-spots 205,206, 207 and 208 indicated thereon. The hot-spots are predeterminedareas on the screen that can be accessed by a remote control, moveablecursor or mouse (not shown). A hot-spot is a dedicated area of themonitor screen. When a hot-spot is accessed it provides a link to avideo, audio, graphics or data event, for example, one of the videochannels 120-130. The hot-spot is defined by predetermined coordinates.For example, in FIG. 3, the upper left hand corner of hot-spot 205 isdefined by coordinates x1=100, y1=90 and the lower right hand corner isdefined by coordinates x2=300, y2=220. Using this information, thecomputer program can draw a rectangle representing the hot-spot and theprogram can test to see if that hot-spot is active. When the user makesa selection (usually by activating a button on a controller such as aninfrared remote control), if the set-top box finds that a hot-spotexists and is currently activated, the program automatically changes thestate of the screen being displayed, so that it links to the eventindicated by the hot-spot. In the typical situation, this would be adifferent video sequence. However, it may be other information such asalternate audio, graphics, text or another appropriate program like agame.

In digital television applications the background behind the hot-spotscan frequently be video. Since video changes every frame ({fraction(1/30)}th of a second in NTSC), an application may have to change thelocation of the hot-spots and the associated link events every frame.Alternatively, if the hot-spots are relatively stationary, thebackground may continue to change although the same protocol may existfor the hot-spot for a prolonged period.

In one exemplary embodiment of the screen layout of FIG. 3, eachhot-spot might overlay the video of a separate movie. The user wouldselect between the various hot-spots using a remote unit. Uponactivation of the remote on the desired selected hot-spot, the systemmay either provide data (for example in the form of text), or link tothe video channel playing the movie.

An alternative X-Y protocol is illustrated for the non-rectangularhot-spot as illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, video monitor 201 andscreen 203 include hot-spots 210 and 211 which are non-rectangular. Inthis embodiment, the hot-spot is defined by all four corner positions.In other words, the upper left hand corner of the hot-spot is defined byx1=300, y1=80, the upper right hand corner is defined by x2=400, y2=95,the lower left hand corner is defined x3=300, y3=220 and the lower righthand corner is defined by x4=400, y4=180. Then, the computer programdefines the hot-spot by drawing lines between each of the corners. Thus,if the area is selected inside of the hot-spots defined by the fourcorners, the program will link to whatever the hot-spot is linked to. Inthe preferred embodiment as defined more particularly in Figs. and 10,the remote control includes directional buttons for selecting thehot-spot to be highlighted. A second selection button is provided foractually selecting the highlighted hot-spot. When the selection is made,the program changes from multi-screen display to displaying the singleselected event. Inherent within this protocol system is the fact that afive or six sided polygon can also be mapped out in the same fashion.Additionally, the protocol system illustrated in connection with FIG. 3is useful for other hot-spots which are not rectangular. By specifyingthe number of corners of a polygon and the coordinates of those corners,hot-spots which are beyond trapezoids, like pentagons, hexagons and soon can be handled efficiently.

When the screen is changed, and accordingly the hot-spots are changed,the new hot-spot information must be synchronized with the underlyingvideo. This is accomplished by a synchronization time. In fact, anytimethe hot-spot information is changed a synch time must be used. Thesynchronization time is a time corresponding to a specific point in theunderlying video where the hot-spots should change. So, providing thetime code (for example, SMPTE time code or other) of the frame of theunderlying video is a good sync time assuming that the system candetermine when the time coded video is played. In the preferredembodiment, the synchronization time is expressed as a time code of thefirst frame that should use the new interactive data. Time code is notthe only way to provide synch data. The synchronization data can also beprovided by matching the hot-spot change event with a change in programidentification data (PID) or other event in the MPEG stream.Synchronization does not have to happen in every video frame as long asthe interactive information does not drift perceptively from the timingdictated by the underlying video.

For example, the corners of the hot-spots could be given a trajectory.All X positions could move one position to the right on every videoframe. The computer program can move the rectangle on every verticalblank of the video and thus move the hot-spots without any furthersynchronization information. Even more complicated trajectory functionscan be used, so long as synchronization data is given frequently enoughto keep synch.

Another example of synchronization is used when the timing of thehot-spots only needs to be loosely synchronized with the video. In thiscase, the protocol data is transmitted at approximately the same time asthe video data to which it is loosely synchronized. In this method thenew protocol data is activated immediately upon reaching the set-up box.This is acceptable because the video will probably be within one secondor so of that time.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 5 which is a block diagram of apreferred embodiment of the system for encoding video information anddata into synchronous information channels capable of being broadcast.The system generally receives video signals 301-312 (as used hereinvideo signals 301-312 may each include audio data, video data, andbinary data which is also referred to generally as “event data”), whichare input into a video switch 314. Video switch 314 selectively outputschosen video signals of video signals 301-312. As illustrated in theexample of FIG. 5, video signals 303, 305, 308, 311 are selectivelyoutput from video switch 314. The selected video signals are input intovideo effects device 316. Video effects device 316 then outputs amulti-screen video signal 317 to video monitor 318 and MPEG encoder 320.An MPEG signal is then output by MPEG encoder 320 to remultiplexer 324.Remultiplexer 324 outputs a signal that is MPEG encoded with interleavedprotocol data and synch data.

Computer 322 is electrically coupled to video switch 314 and transmits asignal to switch 314. The signal from computer 322 causes switch 314 toselect which video signals 301-312 are output by video switch 314.Computer 322 is also electrically coupled to remultiplexer 324 andtransmits information to remultiplexer 324. The information fromcomputer 322 provides remultiplexer 324 with X-Y protocol data andsynchronization data for the output MPEG signal. Remultiplexer 324 thenoutputs an MPEG signal complete with the composite of multiple channelsof video information, X-Y protocol data and synchronization data.

In operation, video switch 314 receives a plurality of video signals301-312. (In an alternative embodiment there may only be one videosignal.) The video switch is programmed by computer 322 via controlsignal 326. Control signal 326 determines which video channels 301-312are passed through video switch 314. In the present example, videochannels 303, 305, 308 and 311 are passed through video switch 314. Inpractice, the output combination is set for a predetermined period, suchas two minutes, as described in the Switching Schedule (FIG. 7). Atcertain predetermined times, computer 322 changes control signal 326such that switch 314 outputs different video channels 301-312 to videoeffect device 316. Video effect device 316 receives four input videosignals and modifies the four video images to reduce them in size, sothat all four images can be displayed in a single multi-screen videoimage that can be viewed on video monitor 318. An example of a videoeffect device is the Picara Q from Active Imaging. Other such videoeffects devices are also available as common television studioequipment.

Video effect device 316 outputs a multi-screen video image which isreceived by MPEG encoder 320. MPEG encoder 320 converts the video inputinto digital video. MPEG encoder 320 then outputs an MPEG encoded signalto remultiplexer 324 which receives the X-Y protocol data andsynchronization data for the next set of video images from computer 322.Remultiplexer 324 then interleaves the X-Y protocol data andsynchronization data into the digital video data and outputs a stream ofdata in MPEG format. In other words, the MPEG channel (illustrated asMPEG channel 21) output in FIG. 5 is similar to the MPEG channel of data120 of FIG. 1.

The system is designed to give a feel of interactivity. Accordingly, therequired X-Y protocol data and digital information must be provided on asubstantially continuous basis. Thus, when a state change is going tooccur by the user accessing a hot-spot with the interface, the systemmust in effect, anticipate such a change and provide information for theanticipated change. As an example, the X-Y protocol data describes theinformation for the switch in video source at switch 314 that is goingto occur in the following time period. Examples of equipment for thedevices in FIG. 5 are: Philips Venus Routing Switcher with JupiterControl System-Switch; Picara Q by Active Imaging-Video Effects Device;and Divicom MV20 and MN20-Encoder/Remultiplexer.

The first stream of information travels in a path from video switch 314to video effects device 316 to MPEG encoder 320 and out remultiplexer324. This information path creates a multiscreen display (four or morepictures on one screen). Additionally, video channels 301-312 can beinput straight into MPEG encoders 321. The MPEG encoded signals fromMPEG encoders 321 are then input into remultiplexer 324 and areinterleaved with X-Y protocol data and synch data. Thus, theremultiplexer outputs a plurality of MPEG channels with X-Y protocoldata and synchronization data interleaved therein that are tuneable to asingle frequency band. In this exemplary embodiment, MPEG channels 21-26are all tuneable to one frequency band. The set top box described inconnection with FIGS. 9 and 10 is responsible for decoding thisinformation.

Particular reference is next directed to FIG. 6 which is a flowchartillustrating the computer control process for switching video andtransmitting X-Y protocol data. The process begins at block 350, withthe initialization of the process. The process then moves to block 352and accesses the switching schedule and reads the switching schedule.The switching schedule is illustrated and discussed in more detail inconnection with FIG. 7. Next, the process moves to logic block 354 andasks whether the present time equals the switch time minus apredetermined lead time. If the answer is “yes,” present time equalsswitch time minus the predetermined lead, the process moves to block 356and begins sending the next X-Y protocol data to the remultiplexer,which is illustrated as remultiplexer 324 of FIG. 5. After completinglogic block 356, or if the answer in logic block 354 is “no,” theprocess moves to logic block 358 and asks whether present time is switchtime. If the answer is “no,” present time is not switch time, theprocess loops back to logic block 354. Alternatively, if the answer is“yes” in logic block 358, present time is switch time, the process movesto logic block 360 and sends the switching commands to the video switch.The process then returns to logic block 352 and repeats the processindefinitely.

Particular attention is next directed to FIG. 7 which illustratesexemplary data for the switching schedule. The switching schedule is acontinuous schedule that can be on any time basis in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7, two iterations of the switching schedule areprovided: one at time=11:28:00:00 and the second at time 11:30:00:00. Attime 11:28:00:00 video switch C is indicated by the hot-spot located atx1=40, y1=60, x2=300, y2=220 and is associated with link event 27. Videoswitch E is associated with the hot-spot located at x1=340, y1=60,x2=500, y2=220 and link event 29. Video switch H is associated withhot-spot x1=40, y1=260, x2=300, y2=420 and link event 47. Video switch Kis associated with hot-spot x1=340, yl=260, x2=500, y2=420 and linkevent 42.

Particular attention is now directed to FIG. 8 which illustrates how theX-Y protocol data is embedded in an MPEG2 transport stream, which isgenerally indicated at 370. MPEG2 is the present industry standard fortransmission of video signals. As described above, in a system operatingunder the present invention many data streams containing audio, videoand data are transmitted. The data is transmitted in the N private databytes. Part of the N private data bytes are dedicated to one of the X-Yprotocol data segments for the first of the hot-spots described in theswitching schedule (FIG. 7). The X-Y protocol is a tagging mechanismwhich associates a tag with a viewing event. The X-Y protocol tag isgenerally indicated at 372. The X-Y protocol tag has a unique eventidentification (event id 374) and a set of hot spots.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the event id is 85. There is onehot-spot and it is located at coordinates (40 60 300 220). In otherwords the hot-spot is located at x1=40, y1=60, x2=300, y2=220. Thishot-spot links to link event 27. The new context is “view” and the mediatype of the new event is video. The “new context” and “media type”fields are examples of other types of data that can be included in thedata stream. The payload field provides the synchronization information.The payload data is further broken out such that the length is 9. Thereis 1 item which contains 4 bytes, and it is located a synchronizationtime 11:28:00:00.

Particular attention is now directed to FIG. 9 which is a block diagramrepresenting sample hardware required for decoding the X-Y protocol. Inparticular, the set-top box is generally indicated as 112. Set-top box112 generally includes input connector 402 electrically coupled to tuner404. Tuner 404 is connected to demultiplexer 406 and processor 410.Demultiplexer 406 is additionally connected to processor 410, dynamicRAM 408 and MPEG memory 412. Dynamic RAM 408 is additionally connectedto processor 410. Processor 410 is electrically connected to infraredinput 416 and overlay graphic memory 414. Overlay graphic memory 414 isconnected to MPEG memory 412 as well as television 420 which is outsideof set-top box 112. An infrared remote unit 422 is required to accessinfrared input 416 to request interactivity.

Set-top box 112 receives a signal from an antenna, such as microwavereceiving antenna 110 of FIG. 1, and the signal is input through inputconnector 402 at the back of set-top box 112. Tuner 404 receives thecomplete signal including all the various decodable channels from all ofthe various frequency bands 140, 142, 143, etc. as illustrated in FIG.2. Tuner 404 is responsible for tuning in the appropriate frequency bandfor the requested video signal. The appropriate MPEG channel received isthen demultiplexed by demultiplexer 406. In other words, the videoinformation and other data such as audio and X-Y protocol data areseparated. The MPEG data is then fed to MPEG memory 412 where it isturned into audio and video information, and the X-Y protocol data istransmitted to dynamic RAM 408 where it is accessible by processor 410.

Processor 410 creates transparent overlays for the video by drawingpolygons in overlay graphics memory 414 which can be seen as a highlightover the video on television monitor 420. User input from remote unit422 is detected by the set-top box's infrared input circuitry 416 andpassed on to processor 410 which can change the location and shape ofthe polygon. Also, when the user activates the select button on remote422, processor 410 can cause the tuner 404 and demultiplexer 406 tochange the channel or provide some other event stored in dynamic RAM408.

Particular attention is next directed to FIG. 10 which is a data flowdiagram illustrating the processes of decoding the received signal andthe appropriate protocol for the multi-screen video mode of operation.The process is initiated at logic block 450 where the user requestsmulti-screen video via remote control 422. The process then moves toblock 452 where the application program causes the set-top box to tuneto the frequency band for the multi-screen video and to begin retrievingdata packets with program identifications for audio, video and X-Yprotocol data for the multi-screen video channel. The process then movesto logic block 454 and asks whether the data accessed in block 452 isthe first X-Y protocol data. If the answer “yes,” the data is the firstX-Y protocol data, then the process moves to block 456 and establishesthe current interactive events and highlights the default interactiveevent.

After completion of block 456, or if a “no” response is determined inlogic block 454 (this is not the first X-Y data), the process moves tologic block 458. In logic block 458, the process asks whether there isnew X-Y protocol data. If a “yes” response is determined indicatingthere is new X-Y protocol data, the process moves to block 460 andestablishes the next interactive event. If a “no” response is receivedin logic block 458, or after completion of step 460, the process movesto block 462 and asks whether the data received is synchronization data.If a “yes” response is determined in logic block 462 indicating thatsynchronization data has been received, the process moves to block 464and updates the interactive event. Alternatively, if a “no” response isdetermined in block 462, or after completion of block 464, the processmoves to logic block 466. In logic block 466, the process asks whetherthe event select button was pressed on the remote. If a “yes” responseis determined, indicating the event select button was pressed on theremote, the process moves to block 470 and changes the channel to linkthe appropriate signal to television monitor 420 so that the appropriateevent is displayed or otherwise uses data in the memory or intransmission to present the appropriate event.

If the event select button is not pressed on the remote, a “no” responseis determined in block 466 and the process moves to block 472 and askswhether a directional button was activated. If a directional button wasactivated, a “yes” response in block 472 is determined, and the processmoves to block 474 to change the highlighted event. The highlight ontelevision monitor 420 is then appropriately adjusted. Alternatively, ifa “no” response is determined in block 472 indicating that nodirectional button was activated, the process loops back to logic block454.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 10, MPEG channel 21 is input intodecoding hardware 480. The decoding hardware then outputs the X-Yprotocol information to logic blocks 454 and 458. This information isused to determine which X-Y protocol information is being accessed.Additionally, decoding hardware 480 outputs synchronization data tologic block 462. Audio and video information are output from decodinghardware 480 to monitor 420.

FIG. 10 illustrates the process of decoding the information (audio,video, synchronization data and X-Y protocol data) received at theset-top box. The process begins when the user presses a button on theremote control 422 and enters the multi-screen video mode of operation(block 450) for the system. The computer program's logic begins byinitialization in block 452 which includes setting the set-top boxhardware to tune to the frequency band which has the multi-screen MPEGchannel and starts decoding the data packers with programidentifications for audio and video, X-Y protocol data andsynchronization data.

Once the decoding begins, audio and video information are converted to acomposite television signal and passed to a television set (monitor420). The computer program searches primarily for the first X-Y protocoldata (logic block 454). When the first X-Y protocol data is detected,the data is set in memory as the current X-Y data and a highlight isdrawn on television monitor 420 over the first hot-spot. Subsequentlogic in the event loop, checks for new, different X-Y data to arrive(logic block 458). When new data arrives it is held in the “next X-Ydata” memory location (not shown) until synchronization data is detected(logic block 462). When the synchronization data is detected, thecurrent data is updated to the new data.

The event loop also detects the state of the remote control buttonpushing. If the “select” button is detected (block 466), the programwill link to the proper event (block 470) and display that event andterminate the multi-screen video logic. Alternatively, if a directionbutton is pushed (block 472), the highlight is redrawn around theappropriate hot-spot.

Accordingly, general review of FIG. 10 illustrates one simple continuousloop for multi-screen video viewing. The loop detects additional X-Yprotocol data, stores the data, and detects synchronization data. Theloop also detects transmissions from the remote control that cause thestatus of the multi-screen video to change, such as selecting one of theevents on the multi-event screen, or changing the event on themulti-event screen that is highlighted. In this way, the appearance ofinteractivity is experienced by a user with unidirectional datatransfer. No data is transferred from the set-top box to the head end.

The present invention is thus directed to a system and method forproviding a user with an interactive look-and-feel in a digitalbroadcast. Users sitting at remote locations such as their homes would,for example, watch television and a set-top box would be provided fordecoding the digital broadcast signal received. The invention allows auser to watch television in various different modes. For example, in onemode the television would display a plurality of separate videos (eachvideo enclosed in a hot-spot) and a user could select any of theplurality of videos on the screen for display on a full screen. Inessence, the user would enter a command on a remote control and one ofthe multiple screens would be displayed in full. A different examplewould include a program schedule on the screen, where each line ofprogram information includes X-Y protocol data, such that each line is ahot-spot. When the user executes on a hot-spot he/she would receiveeither text (binary data) regarding the program, or in the alternative,would be connected to the actual program (video and audio). Thus, thesystem provides the appearance of interactivity.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding descriptions, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the carrying out of the aboveprocess, in the described product, and in the construction set forthwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for allowing a user to make a selectionfrom a transmitted image in a one-way communication, wherein the systemincludes protocol data for enabling at least a portion of thetransmitted image to be selectable, a generator for generating a signal,and a receiver for receiving the signal, the system comprising: agenerator for generating a signal comprising a first data set and asecond data set, the first data set comprising first event data forenabling display of the transmitted image without resort to the seconddata set and the second data set comprising protocol data for enablingat least a portion of the transmitted image to be selectable, theprotocol data comprising at least the following explicit data elements:link data associated with the first event data for enabling theselectable portion of the transmitted image to be selectable; sync dataassociated with the link data for enabling time based synchronization ofthe link data with the first event data; indication data for indicatingthe number of selectable portions of the transmitted image; coordinatedata for defining the selectable portion of the transmitted image; anddescription data for describing second event data presented when a userselects the selectable portion of the transmitted image; and a receivingdevice for receiving at least a portion of the signal including at leasta portion of each of the first and second data sets including theindication data for displaying the transmitted image such that the usermay make a selection therefrom.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theprotocol data comprises an event identifier field containing anidentifier of the first event data.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe link data includes a link event identifier field containing dataidentifying the second event data.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thedescription data comprises new context data.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the description data comprises media type data.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the receiving device comprises a device for separatingthe first data set from the second data set.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the receiving device comprises a processor for decoding theprotocol data.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the protocol dataenables only a portion of the transmitted image to be selectable.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a display device coupled to thereceiving device.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first eventdata comprises data representing an audiovisual signal and wherein thedisplay device is a television receiver.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the coordinate data defines two or more points, and wherein thereceiving device comprises a processor for identifying the two or morepoints and positioning the selectable portion of the transmitted imagetherefrom.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the protocol data enablesa plurality of portions of the transmitted image to be separatelyselectable.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the generator updates thelink data and sync data on a substantially continuous basis.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the generator interleaves the first andsecond data sets.
 15. The system of claim 1, comprising a transmitterfor transmitting the signal from the generator to the receiving device.16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data set is in MPEG formatand includes a private data section, wherein the generator comprises anMPEG encoder and inserts the protocol data in the private data section,and wherein the receiving device comprises an MPEG memory device. 17.The system of claim 1, wherein the first event data comprises video datafor enabling display of a plurality of successive images and wherein thesecond data set comprises protocol data for enabling at least a portionof each of a plurality of the images to be selectable.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the protocol data comprises first protocol data andsecond protocol data, the first protocol data being associated with afirst of the successive images and the second protocol data beingassociated with a second of the successive images.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the coordinate data in the first protocol data differsfrom the coordinate data in the second protocol data.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the link data in the first protocol data differs fromthe link data in the second protocol data.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein the sync data in the first protocol data enables synchronizationof the link data in the first protocol data with the first of thesuccessive images, and the sync data in the second protocol data enablessynchronization of the link data in the second protocol data with thesecond of the successive images.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein thesynch data comprises a time corresponding to a time code characterizingthe corresponding image in the video data.
 23. A system for receiving atransmitted image in a one way communication and allowing a user to makea selection from the transmitted image, wherein the system utilizesprotocol data to enable at least a portion of the transmitted image tobe selectable, the system comprising: a receiver for receiving a signalcomprising a first data set and a second data set, the first data setcomprising first event data relating to the transmitted image and thesecond data set comprising protocol data for enabling at least a portionof the transmitted image to be selectable, the protocol data comprisingat least the following explicit data elements: link data associated withthe first event data for enabling the selectable portion of thetransmitted image to be selectable; sync data associated with the linkdata for enabling time-based synchronization of the link data with thefirst event data; indication data for indicating the number ofselectable portions of the transmitted image; coordinate data fordefining the selectable portion of the transmitted image; anddescription data for describing second event data presented when a userselects the selectable portion of the transmitted image; the systemfurther comprising: a user-activatable selection device for enabling theuser to select the selectable portion of the transmitted image; and aprocessing device for processing the link and sync data so that the linkdata is synchronized with the first event data.
 24. The system of claim23, comprising a demultiplexer coupled to the receiver for separatingthe first and second data sets.
 25. The system of claim 23, wherein theselection device is a remote control unit and wherein the receiverincludes an input device for receiving signals from the remote controlunit.
 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the receiver includes a tuner.27. The system of claim 23, wherein the receiver is adapted to receive asecond signal comprising the second event data, and wherein theprocessing device causes the receiver to switch to the second event datawhen the user selects the selectable portion of the transmitted image.28. The system of claim 27, wherein the receiver includes a tuner, andwherein the processing device causes the tuner to tune so that thereceiver receives the second signal.
 29. The system of claim 23, furthercomprising a display device coupled to the receiver.
 30. The system ofclaim 29, comprising a converting device for converting the first eventdata into a form such that the transmitted image is displayable on adisplay device.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the signal includesdata representing audiovisual data and wherein the display device is atelevision receiver.
 32. The system of claim 23, wherein the coordinatedata defines two or more points, and wherein the receiving devicecomprises a processor for identifying the two or more points andpositioning the selectable portion of the transmitted image therefrom.33. The system of claim 23, wherein the first data set is in MPEG formatand includes a private data section, wherein the protocol data iscontained in the private data section, and wherein the receiving devicecomprises an MPEG memory device.
 34. The system of claim 23, wherein thedescription data comprises new context data.
 35. The system of claim 23,wherein the description data comprises media type data.
 36. A system fortransmitting an image in a one-way communication, wherein the imagecontains one or more selectable portions, and wherein the systemincludes protocol data for enabling at least a portion of thetransmitted image to be selectable and a generator for generating asignal, the system comprising: a generator for generating a signalcomprising a first data set and a second data set, the first data setcomprising first event data relating to the transmitted image and thesecond data set comprising protocol data for enabling at least a portionof the transmitted image to be selectable, the protocol data comprisingat least the following explicit data elements: link data associated withthe first event data for enabling the selectable portion of thetransmitted image to be selectable; sync data associated with the linkdata for enabling time-based synchronization of the link data with thefirst event data; indication data for indicating the number ofselectable portions of the transmitted image; coordinate data fordefining the selectable portion of the transmitted image; anddescription data for describing second event data presented when a userselects the selectable portion of the transmitted image; and atransmitter for transmitting the signal.
 37. The system of claim 36,wherein the transmitter comprises a device for broadcasting the signalto multiple receivers.
 38. The system of claim 36, comprising a videoeffects device from which the generator receives the first data set. 39.The system of claim 36, comprising a computer from which the generatorreceives the second data set.
 40. The system of claim 36, wherein thegenerator comprises a multiplexer for multiplexing the first and seconddata sets.
 41. The system of claim 36, wherein the generator interleavesthe first and second data sets.
 42. The system of claim 36, wherein thefirst data set comprises video data in MPEG format having a private datasection, and wherein the generator inserts the second data set into theprivate data section.
 43. The system of claim 36, comprising a videoeffects device from which the generator receives the first data set anda computer from which the generator receives the second data set, andwherein the generator comprises a multiplexer for interleaving the firstand second data sets.
 44. The system of claim 36, wherein thedescription data comprises new context data.
 45. The system of claim 36,wherein the description data comprises media type data.
 46. A method forallowing a user to make a selection from a transmitted image in aone-way communication, the method comprising: generating a signalcomprising a first data set and a second data set, the first data setcomprising first event data relating to the transmitted image and thesecond data set comprising protocol data for enabling at least a portionof the transmitted image to be selectable, the protocol data comprising:link data associated with the first event data for enabling theselectable portion of the transmitted image to be selectable; sync dataassociated with the link data for enabling time-based synchronization ofthe link data with the first event data; indication data for indicatingthe number of selectable portions of the transmitted image; coordinatedata for defining the selectable portion of the transmitted image; anddescription data for describing second event data presented when a userselects the selectable portion of the transmitted image; transmittingthe signal; and receiving at least a portion of the signal including atleast a portion of each of the first and second data sets for displayingthe transmitted image such that the user may make a selection therefrom.47. The method of claim 46, comprising separating the first data setfrom the second data set.
 48. The method of claim 40, comprisingpositioning the selectable portion of the transmitted image on thedisplay device using the coordinate data.
 49. The method of claim 46,comprising updating the link and sync data on a substantially continuousbasis.
 50. The method of claim 46, comprising interleaving the first andsecond data sets.
 51. A method for generating an MPEG data stream forenabling a set top box in one-way communication with a head end topresent an image having at least one selectable portion thereon, themethod comprising, receiving event data in MPEG format having a privatedata section; inserting in the private data section positional data fordefining the selectable portion of the image; inserting in the privatedata section link data associated with the event data for enabling theselectable portion of the transmitted image to be selectable; insertingin the private data section sync data associated with the link data forenabling time-based synchronization of the link data with the eventdata; inserting in the private data section indication data forindicating the number of selectable portions of the transmitted image;and inserting in the private data section description data fordescribing second event data presented when a user selects theselectable portion of the transmitted image; wherein the event dataenables display of the image without resort to the positional data, linkdata, sync data, indication data, or description data.
 52. A system forproviding an interactive look-and-feel in a display device receiving adigital broadcast in a one-way communication, the system comprising:generation means for generating a signal comprising a first data set anda second data set, the first data set comprising first event data forenabling display of an image on the display device without resort to thesecond data set and the second data set comprising private data forenabling one or more interactive hot-spots to be maintained in theimage, the generation means comprising a video effects device forproducing the fire event data, a digital video encoder for encoding thefirst event data, a computer for producing the private data, and amultiplexer for interleaving the first and second data sets; the privatedata comprising a plurality of explicit data elements including thenumber of hot-spots to be maintained in the image, coordinates for eachhot-spot within the image, an identifier for identifying second eventdata to be displayed when a user interacts with the hot-spot,description data describing the second event data, and synchronizationdata for time synchronizing the one or more hot-spots with the firstevent data; and signal reception means for receiving at least a portionof the signal, for displaying the image, and for allowing the user tointeract with the one or more hot-spots, the signal reception meanscomprising a tuner, a demultiplexer for separating the first and seconddata sets, a processor for generating and maintaining the one or motehot-spots using the private data, and a user-selection device.
 53. Amethod for transmitting an image in a one-way communication system,which image contains one or more selectable portions, the methodcomprising: generating a signal comprising a first data set and a seconddata set, the first data set comprising first event data for enablingdisplay of the transmitted image without resort to the second data setand the second data set comprising protocol data for enabling at least aportion of the transmitted image to be selectable, the protocol datacomprising at least the following explicit data elements: link dataassociated with the first event data for enabling the selectable portionof the transmitted image to be selectable; sync data associated with thelink data for enabling time-based synchronization of the link data withthe first event data; indication data for indicating the number ofselectable portions of the transmitted image; coordinate data fordefining the selectable portion of the transmitted image; anddescription data for describing second event data presented when a userselects the selectable portion of the transmitted image; andtransmitting the signal.